Increasing our knowledge
Incrementando nuestro conocimiento
Learning about the roots of dance & its history gives us a deeper meaning & understanding Aprender acerca de las raíces del baile y su historia nos da un significado y entendimiento más profundo
Dance is such an ingrained part of our DNA. Yet, historically, dancing has been restrained by institutions in power due to its potential to unite and distract people from society's and oppressive systems' expectations. Dancing has the power to liberate, heal and unite, making it a journey of liberation. La danza es una parte muy arraigada de nuestro ADN. Sin embargo, históricamente, el baile ha sido restringido por las instituciones en poder debido al potencial de unir y distrair a las personas de expectativas de la sociedad y sistemas opresivos. El baile tiene el poder de liberar, sanar y unir, haciendola un viaje de liberacion.
We dance Salsa, Bachata, and other Afro/Caribbean/Latin dances and are aware that we are dancing to music that has its origins not just in Latin America. the Caribbean, and New York, but also in Black African culture and the Atlantic slave trade.
Some of the songs we dance to sing about the impact of global inequality, structural racism, and living in a diaspora. The evolution of the dances and musical genres also played a role in the presentation of racial identities among Afro-Latinos. Latin Dance originated in the traditional dances of indigenous cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean. Dance was essential in communal ritual life. This is why as a group enjoying dances with Black/African/Indigenous roots, it is important for us to express and act on our belief that Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter.
When we love Latin dancing but do not support anti-racism movements, we are actively damaging the cultures and traditions we enjoy, and we merely engage in appropriation. We intentionally mention this in every single class we have and every opportunity we have to create awareness and educate others on the dances we enjoy so much.